enterprise. In looking at these noble representatives of savage life,
she was greatly puzzled to discover where the dirt ended and the Indian
began: but philanthropy should overlook such trifles. Philanthropy
shouldn't be squeamish.

MELISSA, ecstasized over Lake Tahoe, and Yo Semité, and the Big Trees,
and was delighted, enchanted, and enraptured in the most thorough and
conscientious manner. She revelled amongst California grapes and pears,
and quaffed the California wines with appropriate delight and hilarity.
She also studied JOHN CHINAMAN in all his phases, and came to the
conclusion that he would do. She thought it would be a seraphic
experience to see the pride and importance of Misses BRIDGET and
GRETCHEN taken down a little. JOHN would certainly not possess the
voluble eloquence--of the first, nor the stolid impudence of the second,
nor would he have, like the pretty Swede, a train of admirers a mile in
length. Of course he would not have these advantages to recommend him.
But then one can get along without florid oratory in the kitchen, and
although a lady may feel highly pleased and flattered to see an unending
procession of admirers file in and out of her drawing-rooms, still she
has a most decided objection to seeing the same imposing spectacle in
her kitchen. Women, will be inconsistent.

MELISSA particularly admired JOHN'S manner of ironing. She thought it
peculiar but genteel, and gentility is always desirable. There must be
something about the climate of California that is especially inspiring
to authors--a kind of magnetism in the atmosphere that draws out all the
literary talent which may be lying dormant in their souls--so that any
one desirous of becoming a writer, has only to take a trip to that
fascinating region, and at some unexpected moment he will awake with
rapture and delight to the blessed consciousness of having blossomed